Edwaed weston



(NoModel.) l y E. WESTON.

INGANDESGENT LAMP FIXTURE.

N0@ 298,327. Patented May k6, 1884-.

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WIIIIIIIIUIIUIHI) V mnnnmmumnul Y Mull Ilrsrrnn Smarts Farrar @erica STATESELEGTRIO LIGHTING COMPANY, OF

NEIN YORK, N. Y.

BNCANDESCENTLMF FlXTURE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,327, dated May 6, 1884.

(No model.)

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD Wnsron, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, and a resident of Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Incandescent- Lamp Fixtures, of which the following is a specication, reference being had to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the same.

My invention relates to chandeliers for incandescent lamps; and it consists in improve ments in devices for connecting with the conductors running through the chandeliers safety or fusible conducting-strips, for preventing an abnormal ilow of current.

In the drawings, Figure l is a central vertical section of the part of a chandelier to which my invention is applied. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the under side; Fig. 3, a-horizontal section of the same, and Fig. a a detail view of the fusible safety-strip.

A is the main or vertical pipe or stem of an ordinary chandelier such as is commonly used for gas or incandescent lighting; B, a box, from which extend the branches C C, that support the lamps. The box B here shown is a shallow circular casting closed by a cover, D, held in place by screws. It may, however, have any other shape, or be made iu many other ways. The main stem A andthe branches C, the number of which is arbitrary, are secured to the box B by screw-threads.

The conductors for conveying the current to the lamps are brought down through the main stem A into the box B. There one conductor, E, is divided into as many conductors as there are arms or branches to the chandelier, and these conductors are run through the branch pipes to the lamps. The other conductor, F, is' connected to a metal plate, G, secured to an insulating plate, support, or box, H, contained within the box B. Theplate G is provided with sockets K, corresponding in number and position to the branches C. In the sockets K are spiral springs J, carrying plates a. Plates L, each with a socket, M, spring N, and plate c, are fastened to the plate or support H, in line with the branches C, and at a short distance from the plate G. From the plates L lead conductors O, through the branch pipes C, to the lamps carried thereby.

D is the circular plate or cover, that is fastened by screws b. Inthe plate are radial slots It, corresponding in number and position to the branches O. Vhen the cover is in place, therefore, the slots will expose the platesa and c.

T are sliding or pivoted plates, that serve as covers to the slots R.

hen the chandelier is to be used, the branch circuits from the plate G to the plates L are completed by strips Y of an easily-fused metal-such as described by me in various patents-and which, for convenience in handling, are cemented or attached in any way to strips of insulating material, such as wood. These strips are inserted in the slots B, and bridge over the spaces between plates G and L. They should be of such thickness that, in order to slide the covers T over them, they must be pressed down upon the plates a c, compressing the springs under said plates. In this way spring-seats for the safety-strips are formed, which maintain perfect contact between the strips and the plates a and c.

The strips or plates T may be applied in a variety of ways, though I have found it desirable to pivot them in the manner shown, and to use a button, XY, in. the center of the plate D, under which the ends of the strips T extend when the slots are closed.

yThis invention may be applied to many of the ordinary forms of gas-chandeliers without material alteration of the same; and it affords a ready and practicable means of securing perfeet safety from an abnormal dow of current in any of the branches ofthe chandelier.

In the drawings those parts of the chandelier that are constructed in the ordinary way are not shown. It is obvious that their arrangement and design may be greatly varied without affecting the invention.

In other applications I have shown and described asafety-strip re-cnforced bya backing of insulating material, and also a spring seat or holder for a safety-strip. Neither of these features, therefore, do I claim herein.

\Vithout restricting myself to the lprecise details oi' construction herein shown, what l. new claim is- 1. The combination, with the stein andv branches oi'a chandelier, ot' metal plates nrhranches extend, a central plate in said box, means for connecting the plates with fusible satetystrips, and conductors arranged within the chandeliers, and connected in the marmer set forth.

2'. rlhe eoinhiiu'ition, with the stein and branches oi' a chandelier, ot' metal plates with spring,y seats or rests arranged within the hox l'roni wh ich the branches extend, a central plate .in said box with spring seats or rests, means l'or connecting the spring-seats with fusible safety-strips, and conductors arranged within the chaxulelier, and connected in the innnner set truth.

il. "lhe conduuation, with the stein oi'a chnndelier, a hex, and branches extending` therei'roin, of sprix ats 'forming terminals of sew ered hruneh c .nits runningl` through the arnis or branches ol the" chandelier, it cover with slots for the introduction ot' safety-strips 'lor joining the springseuts, and means for retailiing;` the strips in plato, as herein set forth.

The combination, with the stem A, box B, and branchcsCot' :i chandelier, of the .nietal plates L, the central plate, G, means `for conneetine` the central plate, (l, with the plates L hy fusible metallic strips, and eomluetors connected in the manner herein. described.

The combination, with the box B and i branches C, ola plate, ll', ot'insulating,` matcranged within a box or easing` from which the rial, plates L, with spring rests or seats, eentral plate, G, with corresponliing rests or seats, slotted cover l), fusible safety-strips V, slides T, and conductors 'for completing,` the electrical n connections, as described.

6. A. hol der for safety-strips for electric circuits, consisting,` of inetal plates with spring rests or seats l'ormii'ig the terminals of a severed circuit, and contained in aber; or easing, in combination with a slotted coi/'cr and a slide, or its equivalent, for retaining the strips when placed across the springrests, as set forth.

T. rllhe combination, with a box or easing, l, and branches C oi" a chandelier, of rests or seats forming terminals Ot'severcd circuits running through the branches, and slotted cover l), with slides T, arranged for the insertion and retention oi safety-strips 4for completing the circuits within the box, as and Vfor the purpose specified.

lfn testimon;T ,whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of (October, 1883.

'\\fitnesses:

HENRY A. Bncirmynn, FRANK N. CRANE. 

